Graham Norton to step down from weekend show on Virgin Radio
Explaining his decision to step away from the popular show which he has hosted since 2021, Norton said that he has worked weekends for the past 13 years. Picture: Virgin Radio/News UK/PA Wire
Graham Norton has announced that he is leaving his weekend show on Virgin Radio.
The Cork man made the announcement on air on Saturday morning saying this weekend would mark his last shows.
"This isn't quite the normal show today because I have a bit of an announcement to make," he told listeners. "I'm leaving weekends here at Virgin Radio."
He assured listeners that this was not goodbye as he will still be "popping up" on the station from time to time.
Explaining his decision to step away from the popular show which he has hosted since 2021, Norton said that he has worked weekends for the past 13 years.
"My life has changed a bit so I just thought, well, I want my weekends back."
The presenter, 60, said that today's and Sunday's show would serve as a thank you to his listeners.
He also revealed that fellow Irish presenter Angela Scanlon would be hosting the show, which airs from 9.30am until 12.30pm every Saturday and Sunday, for the next few weeks.
Scanlon has stood in for Norton on the Virgin Radio show on previous occasions so she is no strangers to the show's fans.
"There will be various announcements following that about people who will be in front of this microphone keeping you entertained," Norton said.
Virgin Radio teased listeners with a post on social media that said: "Get ready for an exciting announcement".
Fans of Norton will still be able to catch him on The Graham Norton Show on BBC on Friday nights.
Norton's departure from the weekend show comes nearly two months after fellow Irishman Ryan Tubridy took up a role at the UK station.
After months of speculation regarding where Tubridy would go following his departure from RTÉ amid the broadcaster's ongoing pay controversy, it was announced that he had joined Virgin Radio.
He began his morning show on January 2 with the station describing him as “our new King of Mid Mornings”.
Tubridy also hosts a two-hour show every Sunday from 10am to 12pm.
